Sher, Brozoski lead LuHi in NY/Philly Challenge

by James Crepea
on
Mon, Jan 9, 2012 2:24 AM

Updated Mon, Jan 9, 2012 6:05 AM

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A Long Island Lutheran girls basketball boxscore rarely features a prominent individual performance. The Crusaders are talented and deep, and with their defense-first mentality, there are infrequent opportunities for one player to have awe-inspiring scoring numbers.

"Points aren't what we focus on," Lutheran forward Yuni Sher said. "We focus on the defensive end, taking charges, picking up the slack for each other, talking to each other. Rebounding is the biggest thing."

Sher and Boogie Brozoski each scored nine points and totaled 11 of Lutheran's 13 third-quarter points to lead the Crusaders past Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood, 42-37, at the third annual Pro Hoops NY/Philly Challenge at St. Dominic Sunday.

Lutheran (11-1) regained the lead on Sher's putback midway through the third quarter, which made the score 28-26. Brozoski (six assists) stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a layup on the ensuing Archbishop Wood possession.

"I've been on Yuni a lot this year about her rebounding and chasing the basketball," Lutheran coach Rich Slater said. "She chased it tonight. She got some key rebounds."

Lutheran closed the first half on a 6-0 run and trailed 23-21 at the break. Once Sher, who also had 10 rebounds, gave the Crusaders the lead during a 13-5 third quarter, they were never caught.

Katie Lavelle took a pair of charges and kept Archbishop Wood's Laura Trisch scoreless in the second half after she had eight first-half points.

Lutheran suffered a potentially major blow when Paige Kriftcher injured her left knee with 3:05 left in the first half. Kriftcher, a senior who previously had torn her ACL, was on the court for several minutes before being helped to the bench.

"I saw her hold on to her knee and I was like, 'please don't let her tear her ACL again,' " Brozoski said. "We need her out there, we need her to score. She's one of our better players."

Added Sher: "Paige is one of my best friends. She's hurt her knee previously and I was really nervous, but our team picked it up for her."

Slater was optimistic and said he'll know more once Kriftcher gets an MRI Monday.

St. Anthony's (8-3) trailed until Kelly provided a 34-33 lead with 4:39 left in the third quarter, but the Patriots immediately regained the lead. The Friars were within three points midway through the fourth quarter but missed several chances to tie the score.

Rebecca Musgrove returned to the lineup for the Friars after missing six games with an injury to her left thigh. She had six points off the bench. Meghan Creighton had 23 points to lead Archbishop Carroll.